Holy mackerel!

[Deleted]

Hey all. Got some mack-daddy questions.

What is the preferred setup? I know should avoid shiny hardware, but what abiut leaders to avoid bites off? I was going through my junk drawer if a tacklebox and found some packs of wire leaders with swivel at one end and line loops at the other. They are dark colored. Can these be used?

I grabbed me some 80# test mono, clear. Man that's some stiff stuff. Should I use like 2 ft of this as a leader?

Any mack advice would be appreciated.

Thnaks,
D

[Deleted]

Hey dpagates.  Many Anglers out there have stopped by and have asked Me how am I catching so many Macks when they are not catching any or just a few.   Here is how I set Up for Catching Mackerel.  I use 30lb test line with a 2oz sinker with 10' of 40lb leader attached to a #0 Clark Spoon.  Cast it out and retrieve about 20' & stop. Then real again for 20' & stop again.   Repeat the process until You complete You retrieval.  I have found out through out the Years that when You stop your retrieval the Macks attack the Spoon Harder.  And it is usually the Bigger Ones.   I have several other Anglers out there in which have seen My Approach and they cannot believe the amount of Mackerel that I catch. I normally Limit out in an Hour or so. This is How I obtained My Name Mackerelman.

[arrantzale]

I usually do pretty good on macks and these are my techniques.

1. Small live whitebait/live shrimp 4-6 feet under a cork.
2. A gotcha plug with a small barrel weight in front of it.
3. Freelined live shrimp.

I never ever use wire leaders. Yes sometimes you will get cut off but that's the nature of the game but you will get way more hits with a flouro leader.

[Deleted]

Thanks guys. I really don't know what I got the wire leaders for. I've been in FL almost 18 years from Michigan and I've probably had them (and other stuff) since before I moved. Just took up saltwater fishing within the last year but very slowly. So wire leaders are out.

So for leaders are we talking 40# fluoro or mono? And I take it that this will stand up to a mack chewing for the most part?

Again, thanks for the advice.
D

[Deleted]

Sept 7, 2015 19:30:26 GMT -5 arrantzale said:

I usually do pretty good on macks and these are my techniques.

1. Small live whitebait/live shrimp 4-6 feet under a cork.
2. A gotcha plug with a small barrel weight in front of it.
3. Freelined live shrimp.

I never ever use wire leaders. Yes sometimes you will get cut off but that's the nature of the game but you will get way more hits with a flouro leader.

Epiphany moment! I've used a popping bobber but only about a foot under. So next time I've gotta add a few feet under!
Get it down deeper I take it?

Thanks, I'm enlightened!

D

[Deleted]

Sept 7, 2015 19:23:15 GMT -5 Mackerelman said:

I use 30lb test line with a 2oz sinker with 10' of 40lb leader attached to a #0 Clark Spoon.

May I ask MM, is your sinker fixed in line or sliding to a stop like a fish finder rig? And your leader is mino or fluoro?

Thanks for all your advice.

D

[tears143]

40lbs will let you get away a little more. 20lbs or 30lbs will work... it depends...

If your main focus is macks... here's how I would set it up..

1 rod for spoons/lure... setup as mackman describe.
1 rod for live bait... This cant be free line or with a float. I would tie a 20-40 lbs leader to a extra long shank hook at the end. The hook size will depend on bait, add split shot weight about a foot above hook.
1 rod for catching bait, sabiki.

These will be my main three rods but there are other ways to catch macks as well...

Look at the bubble rigs with specks jig(crappie jig)/straw rig would work nicely right now due to how small the bait are. Big sabiki as well will do the job right now due to bait size.

[seabird]

Yet another way to catch macks. I do not catch anywhere near what mackerelman does.

I use a sabiki rig that has either 30/40 or 30/50 pound line. I use pieces of bait with it....usually cut fish or shrimp. I find I catch a wide variety of fish with this rig...mackerel, blue runners, Jacks and I even caught a small grouper with it.

Mackerelman has seen my rig in operation and knows it does work.

Note do not use any sabiki lighter than this such as 20/30 pound...you will get bitten off! Lighter sabikis are really good for getting bait fish and you do not need a cast net. Hope this helps.

[Deleted]

dpagates, Listen to tears143. He has the setup like I do. Just try the several ways in which We have told You. Which ever way works for You then just stay that way. Just experiment with the several ways. And Yes, Steel Leader is a waste of You time & Money. Stay with Fluorocarbon line & Leader.

[tears143]

dpagates, even better if you can get out there when we are out there. We'll try our best to show you the rope.

[Deleted]

dpagates, I will also do the Same like tears143.

[Deleted]

Sept 7, 2015 20:18:09 GMT -5 tears143 said:

dpagates, even better if you can get out there when we are out there. We'll try our best to show you the rope.

Woa...got my head spinning with info overload...lol.
Lot's of advice, maybe this thread should be a sticky note?
My next chance to be out at Skyway is weekend of 18-20th. If any of you are out and so inclined I'd be honored to learn a lesson from you guys.

D

[Deleted]

I will be out there for sure on the 20th. I will be glad to show My way.

[arrantzale]

Sept 7, 2015 19:52:31 GMT -5 @dpagates said:

Epiphany moment! I've used a popping bobber but only about a foot under. So next time I've gotta add a few feet under!
Get it down deeper I take it?

Thanks, I'm enlightened!

D

Yes I used it to keep them deeper but just high enough the pinfish army won't come up and grab them. Sometimes with the whitebait I put a split shot half way down because they tend to swim up.

In regards to the leader I used 20lb flouro but I check it after every fish and retie if necessary.

[Deleted]

Sept 7, 2015 20:46:06 GMT -5 Mackerelman said:

I will be out there for sure on the 20th. I will be glad to show My way.

I will take you up on that MM.
D

[Deleted]

arrantzale, I use to Use a 20lb leader like You but I got tired of checking it every time so that is why I switched it up to a 40lb leader. Plus when the Macks are biting Hot & Heavy and are also Bigger-(25" - 30") with Bigger teeth, I just don't want to take the time to check it. I rather Spend My time catching those Bigger Biters. Even though I still get cut off every once in a while by the Bigger Ones or Even a King. I have even used a steel leader & the Bigger Macks still bite through it. I ended up giving it away to a Fellow Angler. It just got to be a waste of Money & Time.